Oakden ICAC Report Response

Dignity Party MLC Kelly Vincent is responding to the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) report into the Oakden facility, after being one of the ICAC inquiries strongest supporters.

In 2015, Dignity MLC Kelly Vincent authored terms of reference for a Select Committee inquiry into elder abuse. Kelly Vincent was also a member of the select committee during the inquiry which looked at the Oakden facility.

“The Oakden ICAC report confirms that the Labor Government failed in its ministerial obligations to protect the state’s citizens who were most at risk of abuse. It will forever be remembered as a hideous low point.”

“I am calling on all parties seeking office or power at this election, to ensure that their ministers are qualified and across their brief, so that we never again see a dereliction of duty as we have with Oakden or any state run department, program or facility.”

“The desire for some parties to have their identity suppressed in this report, and the delays this caused to the report’s publication is concerning, given that the power to conduct an ICAC inquiry is granted when there is evidence of misconduct significant enough to undermine public confidence.”

“Qualities of a Government Minister should include being highly qualified, being across the brief, and ready to take responsibility for failures. The neglect of care shown at the Oakden facility should never have happened.”

“Every day I am contacted by South Australians in crisis. Issues concerning the NDIS, mental health services, aged care, transport and education come to me because through word of mouth it is acknowledged that I get action and results. It is my job, I am not a Minister, but I expect any Minister in the Health, Disabilities or Ageing Portfolios to be qualified to understand their role, their department and most of all their responsibility as a Minister of the Crown.”

“As well as ministerial accountability, future governments should listen very carefully to Commissioner Bruce Lander in relation to the discretion to conduct open ICACs, and the immediate adoption of his recommendations. Notably, regarding the use of physical restraints and unannounced visits.”

“I am calling on all parties seeking office or power at this election, to ensure that their ministers are qualified and across their brief, so that we never again see a dereliction of duty we have with Oakden or any state run department, program or facility.”

“As a member of the Legislative Council seeking re-election, I have been travelling all over the state, listening to disadvantaged and at-risk South Australians, and I’m appalled that the Labor Party kept the former minister, Mrs Vlahos at number one their Upper House ticket for so long,” said Ms Vincent

Click the link to read the Terms of Reference and report for the Elder Abuse Select Committee.